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Cisco Systems, Inc.

Industry

Cisco Systems, Inc. is an American multinational technology conglomerate that develops, manufactures, and sells networking hardware, telecommunications equipment, and other cutting-edge technological services and products. In the past, Cisco used its internship program as its sole recruitment pipeline, but eventually came to the conclusion that it needed to do more as an employer to remain competitive in the labor market. Cisco responded by creating the “Apprenticeship Academy”. The first apprenticeship program in the state of North Carolina to partner with a four-year university, Cisco partnered with North Carolina A&T to develop a custom curriculum for its apprentices. While the first two years of the apprenticeship are spent on-campus learning technical skills, the last two years are spent at Cisco receiving on-the-job training and taking courses online. During that time, the apprentices spend one year rotating around Cisco to learn the different aspects of the company. Cisco is the only company in North Carolina to have a four-year apprenticeship in which apprentices receive their bachelor’s degree on completion of the program.